1. The Loss of Ecosystem Services on the Yucatán Peninsula in the 21 st Century Case study: mangrove loss in Mexico (MX) & Belize (BZ) Natallia Leuchanka Environmental Science: Ecosystems; International Affairs College of Life Sciences and Agriculture University of New Hampshire (UNH) Adviser: Dr. Chris Reardon

3. Akumal, Mexico (MX) Sarteneja, Belize (BZ)

4. Ecosystem: a dynamic complex of plant, animal, and microorganism communities and the nonliving environment interacting as a functional unit Ecosystem Services: benefits people obtain from ecosystems (regulation of floods & droughts, food production, etc.)

5. What are Mangroves? Halophytic trees & shrubs Between 25ºN – 25ºS (pantropical) Adapted to extremely high stresses Modified morphoplogy and anatomy THREATS: Development & tourism

6. WHY MANGROVES ? Species habitat & biodiversity Shoreline protection Water filtration Soil & sediment stabilization Local fisheries Coral reef protection Most of world’s population lives along the coast – resources!

7. If mangrove wetlands provide services for the livelihoods of millions, then why are they continuously being degraded ?

8. Where are we today? Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Comparison of two Landsat 5 Images from 1984 and 2009 showing the rapid pace of development in Playa del Carmen, the main tourist hub for the area. 19842009

9. Global trend: over 50% of mangroves lost due to anthropogenic causes over the last 20 years. Remote sensing shows 3.3% mangrove decline in Belize since original cover (CATHALAC, 2010) Monitoring with Wildtracks (Belize) & field measurements in Mexico showed inconsistencies in mangrove map/data Current status in Mexico & Belize: unknown

10. 1972 Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm 1992 Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the Earth Summit) in Río de Janeiro Sustainable development: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” – Our Common Future; 1987 Brundtland Commission Gap between North (developed ) & South (developing) Need more integrated policies among the states

11. Community-based management NGOs: 1.Wildtracks (Belize) – Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) 2.Centro Ecológico Akumal (Mexico) – research, monitoring, tourist awareness IOs: UNESCO, FAO, WHO

12. International actors shape state governments through agreements lead by international organizations; the lack of compliance & active international organizations results in ecosystem services. Domestic capacity building (technological & financial) Treaties with small number of actors Wetland mitigation & restoration Monitoring (criteria) Reporting (criteria) Remote Sensing & GIS (models) Education

13. “It has been said that for the first time in evolutionary human history human beings have achieved a greater measure of influence over the future of their planet than evolution itself” - Vig & Kraft, 1997

14. Research visits to Belize and Mexico were funded by the HAMEL CENTER FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Funding student explorations worldwide Hood House 209, 603.862.4323 www.unh.edu/undergrad-research